BLOOD MOON LYCAN QUEEN

CHAPTER 2 - MAN OF MY DREAMS - REALYNN'S POV

"Aren't you at least a little excited about your birthday?" Jodie asked as we walked back through the hallway to our lockers, "You will literally be done with this cr*p forever. Today is your last day, and you get to start your job on the council!"

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips.

"I'm just shadowing the Queen," I pointed out, "It's nothing too glamorous."

"Maybe, but you'll be well on your way to creating your dream world where rogues are thing of the past."

"I have to build trust with the council before I can show them my vision for the future, plus I need to get that jerk Dane on board, and we both know..."

Before I could finish, we turned the corner and I bumped into a tall, muscular man who smelt like fresh rain and cherry blossoms.

"Hey, watch it!" I growled, my temper flaring up again.

But when I looked up into the most gorgeous green eyes, I froze. It was the man from my dreams.

No way! He can't be real.

Zhi, for the first time in months, came to life and was fully alert.

"Caspian!" She screamed, as he stared at us with a completely shocked expression.

"Caspian?" I said before I could stop myself.

"Rae!" Johnson shouted, and I stepped back, "This is King Caspian, how dare you speak his name so informally? Apologies and go straight home. We will talk later."

"I'm sorry. I just... I..." What could I say? Sorry. But I've been dreaming of you for years.

I bowed and turned to leave when a strong hand wrapped around my arm and pulled me back in.

"Wait." He ordered, and his voice sent chills of excitement through my whole body.

"Your majesty, she didn't mean to offend you. My adopted daughter can be a little unruly. Please forgive her."

It wasn't lost on me that Johnson made the distinction between daughter and adopted daughter. Though I never saw him as a father, the distinction still hurt.

Caspian ignored him and touched my face. What was he doing? We couldn't be mates. I wasn't twenty-one for another two days, so he couldn't be feeling the bond, and that would be the only reason for him to behave like this. And yet, his hand felt so nice, like it belonged on my body.

"What did he call you?"

"Rae, it's my name. Well, Raelynn, why?"

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-one in two days, your majesty."

Caspian released me and stepped back. And Zhi started growling angrily. She didn't want him to stop touching us. "Are you a maid here?"

"Yes, sir."

"But today is her last day, and then she'll move to the council after her birthday," Johnson told the King, with a proud smile, "She's very smart, she has all kinds of ideas to help improve the world."

"Really?" Caspian said, as another man walked around the corner talking to King Mason, "I'd like to hear them sometime."

I blushed and looked down.

"Nora!" The other man called out, but Caspian growled and he shrank back.

"Dorian, shut up and come along." King Caspian ordered to who I assumed was his Beta, "It was very nice meeting you, Raelynn."

''You too, your majesty,'' I smiled and nodded, but as he walked away, both Zhi and I wanted to run after him, and launch ourselves into his strong-looking arms.

And when he glanced back at me, I blushed again and looked away.

"What is going on?" King Mason asked.

"It's nothing Alpha, we just ran into the girls while we were headed towards the council room,'' Johnson answered, "Run along, both of you.''

"Yes, sir," We both said, and Jodie quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me along with her.

"What was that?" Jodie whispered, "I think the King likes you."

"Don't talk nonsense," I responded, though my heart was still racing. How was he real? It was just a dream.

"Well, either way, you should stay away from him." Jodie told me as we walked into the locker rooms to change, "You've heard the rumors right? He killed his mate and was cursed to live forever in repentance. He's dangerous."

"Maybe," I said as I pulled off my apron, "I just... I didn't get that vibe from him."

"Rae, I'm serious, don't go near him again."

I smiled at her, "Don't worry about it. The King's are just here for the peace talks. He'll be gone in a few days, and we'll never see each other again."

"Good," Jodie said as we turned the corner, ''And what was with that Beta calling you Nora. Do you have a relative with that name or something?''

''Not that I know of,'' I answered as Zhi spoke up.

"I don't want to stay away from Caspian!" Zhi screamed, as she tried to take control, "Go to him. We're meant to be with the King, we have a mission!"

"Would you shut up about this stupid mission!" I shouted back at her, while I undressed, "All you ever talk about is this mission, but you can't even tell me what it is, just give it a rest already!"

Once I'd changed, I went to find Joan, to turn in my keys for the last time. I'd never be a maid again and that felt great. Not that there was anything wrong with being one if that was your choice, but it was never mine.

After thanking her for her kindness throughout the years, I left her office, and noticed a foreign guard wandering around in my vicinity, as if he was watching over me.

But as I neared the private wing we lived on, he paused by a fountain and sat down.

"Are you lost?" I finally asked him.

"No, miss, just exploring." He smiled warmly at me.

"Oh," I answered, as the guards near the stairs exchanged a look.

"Well explore somewhere else," Guard Nathan told him. "This area is restricted."

"I'm just enjoying the fountain, relax." He said as he leaned back and pulled his cloak over his face. "I like the sound, I think I'll take a little nap while I wait for my King to leave his meeting."

Strange man, I thought as I walked up the stairs and went home.

After a quick shower, I was sitting in my towel drying my hair when there was a knock on the door, before it opened.

"Rae," Jessica called out, before entering. She was holding a long black gown and some jewelry, "Dear, you've been invited to the banquet tonight, so I picked out a dress and some jewelry for you."

"The King and Queen invited me?"

I turned in my chair and looked at her as she placed the items on my bed.

"Yes, dear, and you should go. It'll be a great opportunity for you to mingle with the council and grow connections," She told me, "Not to mention the other Kings and foreign delicates will be there. Don't waste this chance."

"I won't." I said excitedly.

"And keep your temper in check." She added before walking out.

"Yes, mam." I responded with a pout. It's not like it was my fault. I just got so angry sometimes.

Once I was dressed, I rushed to the kitchen for a sandy, I'd often heard from Jessica that you shouldn't eat too much at these kinds of events.

"What are you doing?" Charley asked as he and Nick walked in with their mate Torry, who was wearing a pretty yellow gown with fake silver embellishments.

"What?" I asked as I swallowed the last of my snack, "I was hungry."

"You're going to the banquet, you do realize there will be food," Nick pointed out."

I just shrugged and wiped my face.

"Come on. Rae, everyone's leaving." Torry took my hand and pulled me from the kitchen.

The banquet was in our main hall, and it had been decorated with gold and red, the signature colors of our city.

Even the usually old stone statues had been replaced by gold one.

There was a band playing softly on the far end of the hall, loud enough to be heard and danced to, but not enough to hinder anyone's conversations.

Waiters on black and gold were walking around with trays of drinks and food.

I wasn't going to take anything, but when I spotted Jodie holding a drink tray, I rushed over to her.

"What are you doing here?" We both said at once, and laughed.

"Joan said if I work tonight, she'll take one week off my schedule, which means I'll only have one more month before I can quit and go to work in the hospital!"

I smiled, Jodie had long wanted to become a nurse. She always wanted to help others.

"That's awesome!" I celebrated, and quickly took a glass when I saw a guard staring at us in disapproval.

"What about you?"

"I was invited by the King and Queen, so I'm taking advantage of the situation."

"Well you look amazing."

"Thanks."

"I should circulate. Have fun."

"Thanks," I repeated, and we both walked off.

I took a tentative sip of the wine and walked over to council women Lidia, who was in charge of the city's morale. She often planned the festivals, maintaining the upkeep of the streets, schools, Castle and hospitals.

"Hello Beta Lidia, you look lovely this evening." I greeted her, and her mate. "Professor Sam, how are you?"

"Aren't you the little flatterer," She giggled, "Thank you, sweetheart, you look very grown up and pretty yourself tonight. Beta Johnson told me you'll be coming to the council soon."

"Yes, mam, just after my birthday."

"That will be exciting," Sam said, "You'll also be old enough to feel your mate. I was only a week out from my twenty first birthday when I met this exquisite creature."

Lidia smiled and he kissed her cheek.

"And soon, we'll both retire and let the next generation have at it." Lidia said with a hint of excitement in her tone.

"Do you know if Alpha Dane has picked his new council?"

"If he has he's tight lipped about it," Lidia answered, "Not that it matters, he must find his mate first to take the throne. You know, it is odd that he hasn't met her yet."

"Perhaps she's not come of age yet," Sam responded as he glanced at me.

I took another sip of my drink to avoid the awkwardness. For years now, the King had put me and Dane on situations to get us closer, but I never understood it. Surely he didn't think I was his son's mate? Goddess I hope not. Dane was a pig.

"ANNOUNCING, KING CASPIAN!" A guard at the door called out.

I turned and looked at him. He was with his Beta, two other guards and a very beautiful Asian woman in a black dress with golden looking embroidery in the pattern of a tree.

She had her arm linked with Caspians and I felt a strange possessiveness wash over me. I wanted to rip her arm off.

Caspian glanced in my direction, and as if he could read my mind, he pulled away from the girl and took a drink.

"ANNOUNCING KING MASON AND QUEEN JAZELLE!" The guard called out, "ALPHA DANE AND PRINCESS DAVINA."

The King and Queen walked in with their children, all in matching outfits, the women on golden gowns while the men wore black suites with golden embellishments.

"So over the top." Zhi complained, "Let's go talk to Caspian!"

"No, now stop it."

"Excuse me," I said to Lidia and Sam.

"Have a good evening," Sam said before he walked her off to talk to someone else.

As I move through the crowd, I noticed that the same guard lingered around me, just off to the side, and whenever I looked at him. He would focus on something else or strike up a conversation with someone.

"What is his problem?" I asked Zhi.

"Maybe he likes you."

''Well, stalking me isn't a great day to get me to like him back. What a creep."

Fed up, I finally approached him as he ate some cake.

"Why are you following me?" I demanded, as he swallowed his food and glanced at his King, who, when I turned around, was watching us.

"It's a ballroom, there's not a lot of options for places to go. I wasn't following you, I was simply wandering around."

"What a load of sh*t," I snapped, my temper raising, as I stepped closer, "You were following me earlier too, don't deny it. And if it doesn't stop, I'm going to lure you into a dark room and cut off your manhood."

''Raelynn!" Jessica scolded me, as she rushed overlooking a little embarrassed, "This man is our guest, do not speak to him like that. Apologize!"

"No way. This pervy creep has been stalking me all day!"

Jessica grabbed my arm and pulled me in. It was rare for her to get mad.

"I will not repeat myself a third time. Apologize."

I gave a frustrated huff, and pulled free, but like every other time I began losing my temper, I felt a strange shimmer over my eyesight.

"I'm sorry I threatened you." I said reluctantly, but then I smelt Caspians scent and I turned.

"Is something wrong?" He asked, sounding casual, but there was no way he hadn't heard me threaten his man. Would he be mad?

"It's nothing, Alpha, just a small misunderstanding, but it's cleared up now,"

"Good. Jacob, go check on Dorian before he eats all that chicken and gets sick."

"Yes, sir." Jacob said as he walked away.

"I am sorry if he made you feel a little uncomfortable," Caspian said, standing a little too close for polite conversation, was he aware of how imposing he was? "He's a sucker for a pretty face, and yours is beautiful."

I blushed and looked down.

"No, it's alright, your majesty," Jessica told him, "Rae's just got a little bit of a temper, she was being a little presumptuous just now thinking your guard was following her."

"You have a temper?" Caspian asked, but I frowned, why would he care about that?

"Doesn't everyone?" I responded and Jessica glanced at me angrily.

"Yes, I suppose they do." He shrugged and held out his hands. "Will you dance with me?"

"Oh, I... I shouldn't. I'm not very good."

"You don't need to be, I'm leading." He said, and before I could argue more, he took my hand and pulled me into the dance floor, where several guards were dancing already.

"ANNOUNCING KING SAUN AND QUEEN FRAYA." The guard called out, as we began moving with the music.

I felt very awkward, but something was tugging at my mind and I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"Your majesty, who is Nora?"

Caspian froze for a moment, gulped and began dancing again.

"She was my mate who died a very long time ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry, but hey did your Beta call me that?"

"You both have red hair, he was mistaken."

"Oh," I said again, well that explained it.

His interest in me came about because I look like his mate.

Why did that hurt so much?

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, sir." I smiled and kept dancing, "Are you really immortal?"

Caspian smiled, "Yes. I can be hurt, but I heal quickly, and can't die. Everyone else in my city can die, but they've stopped aging."

"Wow," I mouthed, with interest, "Do you think the worlds changed for the better since you were young?"

Caspian laughed again, "Are you implying I'm old?"

"No, not at all," I said quickly, hoping I hadn't offended him.

"Well, to answer your question," He said as he moved us with ease through the dancers. "Something's have changed for the better, while others have gotten worse."

I wanted to pry, and find out what he meant but I held my tongue, I was being nosey enough.

"Are you looking forward to your birthday?"

"Not really, but Jessica likes to go all out."

"Why are you with her? What happened to your family?"

My throat suddenly felt tight, I hated talking about my family.

"They died when I was eight, during a rogue attack that wiped out my entire pack. I was the only survivor."

"I am very sorry to hear that. It's not easy losing those we love."

The song ended, and I pulled away, but I thought I'd felt hesitation in the King's grip before he released me.

"Thank you for the dance, your majesty," I bowed.

"It was my pleasure," He smiled, before turning to leave.

I moved back over to Jessica who was looking troubled, and she grabbed my arm, pulling me in.

''I didn't realize you knew the King.'' She whispered, ''When did you meet him?''

Someone cleared their throat before I could answer, and I turned to see Dane dressed in a tux.

''My father ordered me to ask you to dance, come on,'' He said, as grabbed my arm and pulled me back onto the dance floor.

''Get off!'' I growled and ripped my arm free, and I swear I saw Alpha Caspian step closer with his claws extended, before he Beta blocked him.

''Shut up and dance,'' Dane held up his hands.

I exhaled and slipped my hand into his, and he roughly pulled me closer.

''I really don't know why my father is always shoving us together?'' Dane whispered angrily as we began to move, ''You're nothing but a pathetic orphan with anger issues.''

''I don't have anger issues, you all have issues with my anger.''

''Hillarious.'' He said with distain and I purposely stood on his foot.

''Oop, sorry Alpha. I'm not very good.''

''It's not your fault,'' He said sweetly, ''You didn't have parents to teach you.''

I growled as my temper rose, ''Watch it Dane, I'll gladly spend the night in the prison again if you talk cr*p about my family.''

''It's your coming of age party in a few days isn't it?'' He asked, as he moved effortlessly through the other dancers, I hated that Alphas were so good at everything, ''I wonder what they'd think of you. Just a lowly little maid with no skills.''

''I don't know where you get the confidence Dane?'' I asked, as he gripped my hand tighter, ''Everything you have was handed down because you happen to be an Alpha. You didn't earn anything, and what would you be without it? You're the one with no skills.''

''I can't wait until I find my mate and get the throne,'' He shot back, ''The first thing I'm doing is getting rid of you, before it's too late.''

''What do you mean, too late?'

''Well it's obvious that you destroyed your own pack, and you were just a kid then,'' He said, and my temper spiked again, ''Now that you're coming of age, you'll probably destroy the capital.''

''Sc*rew you!''

''How'd you do it?'' He leaned in closer, ''Come on, you can tell me. You were the only survivor, theres no way you didn't do it. What was it like when you moved onto your family? Were they hard to kill?!''

I growled in pure rage, and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground before I jumped onto him and continued hitting, until strong hands pulled me back.

''GET OFF ME!'' I screamed and struggled, ''I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!''

''RAELYNN!'' Johnson shouted as he ran towards me.

I frowned momentarily. I thought it had been him holding me back, but then the person pulled me around into a hug.

''Shh, it's okay.'' The man said into my hair, and I felt my body relax.

It was King Caspian, and somehow he was calming the beast inside.

''WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!'' King Mason shouted, as the music died.

''Your son taunted her, and accused her of killing her family!'' King Caspian defended me, as I peeked up at his face, ''Is this how you raise your heir? To treat the pack like they're beneath him?!''

''My son wouldn't do that.''

''ARE YOU ACCUSING ME OF LYING?!'' King Caspian shouted, and the room fell silent.

''No, of course not.'' King Mason said quickly, ''I... I am just surprised that Dane would do such a thing, but even so. It doesn't justify her attacking him. Raelynn, we have spoken about your temper.''

King Caspian laughed as I turned towards Dane who was wiping blood off his nose, ''Is your son really so weak that a Beta can take him down? I guess your line really has lost strength since my day.''

King Mason glared at him for a moment before composing his face, ''Dane get up and go wash your face. Rae, you will go with the guards and spend the night in the prison again. I am getting sick of your temper tantrums.''

''Alpha, she really didn't mean too,'' Jess defended me, ''And she's working on her control. Please, don't make her stay in the prison again.''

Mason exhaled and waved his hand, ''Fine, but she's on house arrest until her birthday!''

''Yes sir, thank you.''

''Go. Get out of my sight.''

''Rae, go home, right now,'' Jess ordered, and I nodded, before turning back to the King.

''Thank you for helping me,'' I bowed, but he touched my arm.

''Think nothing of it,'' He smiled warmly, and for a second I got lost in his eyes, but then I remembered that everyone was watching me, and I quickly rushed away blushing.